Career as Nuclear Medicine Technology
Nuclear medical technicians are technologists who are qualified to operate diagnostic imaging equipment in order to help diagnose and treat diseases. They prepare and administer purified unstable atoms to patients. These radiopharmaceuticals emit radiation, which indicates the presence of disease, based on metabolic changes in the patient's body. Although they generally work a 40-hour week, depending on the medical practice, nuclear medicine technicians or technologists might have to participate in an on-call rotation. Working in hospitals, offices of physicians or diagnostic imaging centers and laboratories, the job can be physically demanding. Practitioners are on their feet a great deal of the time and may be required to position and re-position patients, in order to facilitate the proper operation of imaging equipment. Operation of the equipment itself calls for a certain amount of manual dexterity and some mechanical ability.
Job Profile
- Explain imaging procedures to the patient and answer questions
- Follow safety procedures to protect themselves and the patient from unnecessary radiation exposure
- Examine machines to ensure that they are working properly
- Prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to the patient
- Monitor the patient to check for unusual reactions to the drugs
- Operate equipment that creates images of areas in the body, such as images of organs
- Keep detailed records of procedures
Skills required
- Ability to use technology.Nuclear medicine technologists work with computers and large pieces of technological equipment and must be comfortable operating them.
- Analytical skills. Nuclear medicine technologists must understand anatomy, physiology, and other sciences and be able to calculate accurate dosages.
- Compassion. Nuclear medicine technologists must be able to reassure and calm patients who are under physical and emotional stress.
- Detail oriented. Nuclear medicine technologists must follow exact instructions to make sure that the correct dosage is given and that the patient is not overexposed to radiation.
- Interpersonal skills. Nuclear medicine technologists interact with patients and often work as part of a team. They must be able to follow instructions from a supervising physician.
- Physical stamina. Nuclear medicine technologists must stand for long periods and be able to lift and move patients who need help.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Cardiovascular Technologists
- Technicians
- Vascular Technologists
- Science Professionals
- Laboratories
- government agencies
- non-government agencies
- Colleges and schools
- hospitals and public health laboratories
Earnings
Nuclear medicine technologist can earn between £13,140 and £20,011 a year. Experienced practitioners can earn up to around £25,000.
Recruiting Companies
Sun nuclear
IBA
ELEKTA
How do I get there?
Option 1:
An associate’s degree in nuclear medicine technology. Bachelor’s degrees are also common.
Pathway Courses
In Abroad
Where to study?
- Alamo Colleges - San Antonio College
- Andrews University
- Aston University
- Auckland University of Technology
- Bard College
- Centennial College
- Clemson University
- College of New Caledonia
- Colorado School of Mines
- De Montfort University
- Edge Hill University
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Federation University
- Florida International University
- Georgian College
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- Gonzaga University
- Grand Valley State University
- Holland International Study Centre
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- IUBH university of applied Sciences
- James Cook University
- Kingston University
- Klaipeda State College
- Klaipeda University
- kozminski university
- kristianstad university Sweden
- La Trobe University
- Lancaster University
- Langara College
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
- Liverpool John Moores University
- London Metropolitan University
- Manchester University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Miami University
- Morehead state University
- National College of Ireland
- Northwest University
- Principia College
- Purdue University
- Radford University
- Rider University
- Riga International School of Business and Administration
- Robert Gordon University (ICRGU)
- Ryerson University
- Sacred heart university
- savania university
- Southern Utah University
- St Lawrence College
- Stockholm School of Economics in Riga
- Swansea University
- Syracuse University
- The University of Auckland
- The University of British Columbia
- The University of Sheffield
- The University of Sydney
- The University of Texas
- The University of Western Australia
- Tilburg University
- University of Birmingham
- University Of Bridgeport
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Canterbury
- University of Central Lancashire
- University of Delaware
- University of Derby
- University of Essex
- University of Findlay
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Huddersfield
- University of Iowa
- University of Kentucky
- University of Leeds
- University of Lincoln
- university of LUHS
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
- University of Otago
- UNIVERSITY OF PECS
- University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
- University of Rhode Island
- University of Rochester
- University of San Diego
- University of South Wales
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Surrey
- University of Sussex
- University of Warwick
- University of Westminster
- Vanderbilt University
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- Waterford Institute Of Technology